If you are are suddenly hearing a weird noise on your PS5 console, then you are not alone. In this guide, I am going to show you everything you need to know about the PS5 buzzing noise issue in 2024.
First, I will start by explaining what’s really going on (and why it’s happening). That way, you know what you are dealing with. Next, I will explain what potential damage it can cause. Finally, I will show you how to stop it quickly in no time.
So, without any further ado, let’s dive right in!
Contents
What Exactly is the PS5 Buzzing Noise & Why?
In most cases, the PS5 buzzing noise is caused by coil whine. Coil while is something that is very common among electronic devices. It is caused by the current, as it passes through the coil in electronics.
When current passes through the coils of an inductor or capacitor, the coil vibrates causing coil whine. When this happens at a high frequency that lies with the hearing range of humans, we hear sounds like the PS5 buzzing noise coming from the Power Supply Unit (PSU) of the console.
Depending on the amount of current that’s passing through the coils, the vibrations can change in amplitude and frequency, hence the volume and the pitch of the noise may vary under different conditions.
The more the load the console is under, the more the current that passes through.
This is the reason why the PS5 buzzing noise gets really loud when your console is under heavy use such as when playing resource-intensive games like Demon’s Souls, Astrobot, No Man’s Sky, Miles Morales, Borderlands 3, Genshin e.t.c.
On the other hand, you may stop hearing the noise (or just a whirring/humming noise) when your console is idle, in the home screen or menu screen.
In some extreme cases, the noise becomes really high-pitched (crackling or ticking noise) and sounds like an electric razor, or just so loud like a jet engine or fridge.
While some users using the disc edition reported that they only hear a very loud buzzing noise while installing a game, it can happen whether you are using the disc version or the digital version with no disc.
A lot of users have also noticed that the PS5 buzzing noise only happens with PS5 games, and doesn’t happen with PS4 game on the same console. This makes sense, since PS5 games can be more demanding that its PS4 alternative.
Also, you should know that while this is a very common issue among PlayStation console users, a lot of users don’t experience the loud coil while issue.
One reason for this is due to the varying Power Supply Units (PSUs) that come with the different fan types found on the PlayStation 5 consoles (currently, 3 different fan designs have been used in different consoles).
With all that has been said, the next question to tackle is, “Can PS5 coil damage your console? (or is it even damaged already?)”
Can PS5 Buzzing Noise (Coil Whine) Damage Console?
Or does it mean your console is faulty?
Quick answer: NO, coil while won’t create any problem (that is, it won’t affect the performance or longevity of your console).
Although it can really be annoying especially when the PS5 buzzing noise gets so loud, it isn’t in any way a sign of damage nor will it damage you console in any way.
Like I said earlier, coil whine happens in a lot of electronics (including some high end gaming laptops and graphic cards), and it’s just a result of them doing the job they are supposed to do.
While Sony could have done a better job in fixing the issue from the outset (by using better materials and insulating the capacitors properly), it’s definitely not as loud as the jet-engine noise in the PlayStation 4 (PS4) Pro. In the latter, you could even barely hear the gameplay audio or ambient sound when it gets really loud.
If it’s not noticeable with your TV volume up in the normal range, then it’s nothing to really worry about. Just turn the TV volume up to the normal range and ignore the weird noise coming from the console.
You can also use headset instead. In that case, you should really check out the PlayStation PULSE 3D Wireless Headset.
The real problem is when it gets so loud (sounding like jet engine, electric razor or fridge) and you can still hear it no matter how loud your TV is or how far you are from your console. Either way, the tips below can help you fix the PS5 buzzing sound or coil whine issue in 2024.
First, I will start with the simpler and quick fixes. At the end, I will also show you a technical way to fix it that will require you to open up your console.
With that said, let’s dive right in!
How to Fix PS5 Buzzing Noise from Coil Whine
To fix PS5 buzzing noise issue, switch the PS5 console to resolution mode, limit the FPS, place the console in a well-ventilated area to avoid complications from overheating, enable V-Sync, G-Sync or Free-Sync on your TV or gaming monitor and place the console horizontally with the stand.
Below are 8 ways to fix the PS5 to fix the buzzing noise coming from PS5 coil whine, explained step-by-step with screenshots:
1. Use Resolution Mode
You might have noticed is that it gets really loud with resource-intensive games running on high FPS. That is because the higher the FPS, the louder the buzzing noise since your console is essentially under a higher load.
By switching to resolution mode (which disables performance mode), the configuration favors visual fidelity over performance. This does not mean that the performance is going to be so much, it will just ensure that the game is played at a lower performance level.
For example, a game like Call of Duty: Vanguard which can be played at 120FPS will be played at 60FPS instead.
Since higher performance correlates with louder buzzing noise, switching your console to resolution mode can make the PS5 buzzing noise become pretty much inexistent (or at least reduces to a negligible whirling or humming noise).
- Go to ‘Settings’ from the home screen and select ‘Saved Data and Game/App Settings’
- Go to ‘Game Presets’ > ‘Performance Mode or Resolution Mode’, and change it to ‘Resolution Mode’
Once selected, the PS5 buzzing noise should reduce when playing games on your console.
2. Reduce Video Output Resolution & Limit FPS
Other than the FPS, the video output resolution is another thing that has proven to cause loud PS5 buzzing noise. Put it simply, 8k resolution causes a louder buzzing noise than 4k, 4k louder than 2k (1440p), 2k louder than 1080p and then 720p with the least loudness.
The higher the resolution, the more wok the CPU/GPU has to do and the more buzzing noise you will hear.
Therefore, even if your TV supports a high resolution, reducing the output resolution used can help fix the PS5 buzzing noise issue (coming from the coil whine).
Here’s how to do that:
- Go to Settings > Screen and Video
- Select Video Output > Resolution
- Now, switch it to a lower resolution
The lower the resolution, the lower the PS5 buzzing noise. Now, it’s all about finding the balance between how low you are willing to reduce the resolution while still considering the visual fidelity while gaming.
In addition, you can limit set the FPS limit in the in-game menu to 60FPS when playing games that support 120FPS.
3. Place Console in a Well-ventilated Area
Overheating is another thing that has escalated the PS5 buzzing sound issue, making it very loud and unbearable. The reason is that when the console is overheating, the fan starts to overwork.
Below are a few placement tips to reduce overheating and reduce PS5 buzzing noise:
- Ensure that the air vents on the sides and back of the console are not blocked. If you notice that dust has built up in and around the vents, turn off and unplug the console, then use a low-powered vacuum cleaner to remove the dust.
- Make sure that there is enough room for ventilation around the console. Sony recommends that you ensure at least 10cm of free space around each side of the console. In other words, don’t place it in a narrow space.
- Also, do not place the console on a carpet or rug with long fibers.
Finally, if you think your console is over-heating already, turn it off and allow it to cool down before turning it back on.
4. Change the Position of Console
The fact is, it doesn’t matter whether your console is placed horizontally or vertically, users have experienced it with both placements.
However, a number of users have also stated that the buzzing noise was much more louder when placed vertically. That’s because when placed vertically, the PSU (where the buzzing noise come from) is more in contact when the surface on which the console is placed. As a result, the vibration can be amplified that way, causing a louder buzzing noise.
You can see the Power Supply Unit (PSU) highlighted in red in the image above, and it goes directly under the panel where the arrow points.
Therefore, if your console is currently placed vertically, place it horizontally and see if the buzzing noise reduces or not.
In addition, using the console with the stand can also make the buzzing noise less pronounced.
The video below will demonstrate how to place your console with the stand.
5. Enable V-Sync, G-Sync or Free-Sync
A lot of smart TVs have features like V-Sync, G-Sync (in some LG TVs) and Free Sync (in supported Samsung TVs) on them.
These features synchronize the frame rate of a game with a gaming monitor’s refresh rate. This helps to avoid screen tearing, and it does that by limiting the FPS when necessary. In turn, performance is reduced and the buzzing noise is reduced too.
For example, if you have a 60 Hz gaming monitor or TV, the maximum FPS is capped at 60. However, the downside is that these features can also increase the tendency of input lag on your PS5 (not always the case especially if you have a good quality monitor or TV, so feel free to give it a try).
Depending on the model and brand of your TV or gaming monitor, you will be able to find it under settings if it is supported.
6. Adjust the Side Panels
If your PS5 is making a weird noise, adjusting the side panels of the console could help fix the issue. That’s because the side panels could actually the buzzing noise to be louder than the normal coil whine sound you are supposed to hear.
There isn’t much to say here, so here’s what you need to do.
Press against both side panels of your PlayStation 5 console, and try to notice if there is any decrease in the loudness of the buzzing noise coming from the coil whine. If there is, release it and see if the noise goes up again. If it does, then you need to adjust your side panels in a way that the noise reduces.
Some users have reported that adjusting the side panels by simply pressing against them. The noise went up again once they stopped pressing against the side panels, then it finally got fixed after trying it over and over again.
This can also fix disc rattling noise especially in the disc edition of the PS5 console.
7. Open Up the Console
This is a technical procedure, and if your console is still under warranty, I will advise that you don’t open up your console as you can easily void your warranty, or even worse, damage your console more if you don’t do it right.
However, if you are not under warranty and you wish to give it a go, there are two things you need to look for here:
- Check and remove any obstruction around or in the fan of the console
- Locate the capacitor causing the buzzing noise and replace it with a capacitor with similar rating
The video below will take you through the whole process:
8. Contact Sony for a Fix or Replacement
If your PS5 console is not out of warranty yet, you can request for a fix at no extra cost. You could even get a replacement that comes with the fan and PSU variants with less buzzing noise.
However, if you are unlucky, you may even get a replacement with louder buzzing noise.
It might take a few weeks to get it back, but it’s the most reliable way to get your console fixed or replaced.
On the other hand, if you got the launch day edition or later edition and you are just out of warranty, you can still contact Sony to see if there’s anything that can be done.
However, you also need to know that coil whining is not covered under warranty as it happens with all electronics and it is not a “fault” in the technical sense.
That said, to request for a fix under warranty, you need to get a return authorization and shipping instruction. To get that, visit playstation.com/service or call 1-800-345-7669.
Before I end this, there is one more question I need to tackle.
Can Coil Whine Go Away on PS5 By Itself?
Yes, it is possible for PS5 coil while to reduce in intensity, or maybe even completely disappear with time. The noise coming from the while can change as you use the console, which means that the loud buzzing noise you hear can fade away eventually.
Unfortunately, the reverse is also possible. That is, it may continue to happen without reducing in intensity, and maybe even worsen.
Bottom Line
Coil whine is a common thing among electronics, including high-end gaming consoles or PCs. In the PlayStation 5 console, coil while can start with a whirling/humming noise when your console is idle (in home or menu screen) to a vey loud buzzing noise when you are playing games or updating games.
The buzzing noise is not a sign of fault in your console, and the coil whine will not damage your console in anyway. So, if you can ignore it, simply ignore it. However, if it’s so loud that it annoys you, then you need to find a way to reduce the buzzing noise.
There are a number of ways to fix it or at least reduce the noise to a level where it becomes really negligible, some of these methods which have been explained in details in this guide are highlighted below.
- Use resolution mode (that is, disable performance mode)
- Reduce video output resolution and FPS
- Place console in a well-ventilated area to avoid complications that can come from overheating
- Place the console horizontally with the stand to reduce the PS5 buzzing noise
- Adjust the side panels
- Remove obstructions in or around the fan of the console and replace capacitor(s) causing the loud buzzing noise
- Enable V-Sync, G-Sync or Free-Sync on the TV or monitor
- Contact Sony for a replacement or fix
- Consider waiting it out, and see if the coil whine stops
Let me know which of these tips worked for you in the comment section. Also, if you have any additional suggestion or a feedback, feel free to use the comment section below.
Thanks, I’ve been looking for this for a long time
You are welcome.
Thanks, +
Thanks, +
not working
hey i’ve been having this problem but it’s making my game kinda lag, fortnite and battlefront 2 whenever i use L1 and L2 to go from my locker to the lobby it almost like lags my game and the buzzing stops for a milia second then starts again is this normal?
Check out this guide on PS5 controller input lag, and see if that fixes the issue for you.